Back in the day before algorithms seemed to drive most everything, films available were often listed alphabetically. Astute number crunchers noticed that titles which were simply numbers over-indexed in popularity, as these films appeared at the top of the list. I don’t think that was part of the decision-making process for this wonderful slice of history.
Rather, the number in this well-crafted World War 2 film refers to the military regiment of women who played a previously unheralded but critical role in improving the morale of soldiers in the field, and their families back home. The seemingly simple expedient of getting mail between the home front and the war front had bogged down in bureaucratic molasses.
Into the breach comes a hardy and inspired group of women who managed to wade through the literal mountains of mail and begin to get the notes and letters to their intended recipients.
Whereas postmen long had the domestic goal of “neither sleet nor snow, etc.” here the shifting allegiances and fog of war put mail delivery at a standstill during World War 2.
Officially known as the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the Six Triple Eight was an all female all Black battalion in the US Women’s Air Corps. Tyler Perry wrote and directed the film, based on “Fighting a Two-Front War” by Kevin M. Hymel. Perry and the other producers have assembled a great cast, each of whom contributes admirably in telling this remarkable story: Kerry Washington, Ebony Obsidian, Dean Norris, Sam Waterston and Oprah Winfrey.
I noticed a few quibbles (I believe one or two of the songs used did not get released until a few years after the time period portrayed), but overall the film looks great and the story line moves crispy toward a satisfying resolution.
If you enjoyed “Hidden Figures” this film is for you. It is yet another example of women rising to the challenge and quickly overcoming the generally white and male preconceptions about skill, talent, resilience and accomplishment.
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